Statement for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the Tet festival

The Tet is a time to gather around family and friends to celebrate the beginning of a new year. For the Vietnamese community, it is a particularly important festival because it symbolizes renewal and the beginning of spring.

This year, I had the honour of participating in the Tet celebrations organized by Vietnamese associations in Montreal and Toronto. I thank everyone in attendance, particularly the organizers, for the opportunity to share this important cultural tradition together. The Vietnamese community has been welcomed by Canadians, and has grown strong roots in this country and is engaged in a wide variety of activities. These include not only in business, but in the political, artistic, sport, social, and professional spheres. I am always proud that I am a Vietnamese-Canadian.

I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity for the year of the Rooster. Chúc mừng năm mới !"